Electricity, Water and Utilities

Electricity, Water and Utilities

The ActewAGL Enterprise Agreement was voted on the 27th April with a 90% YES vote. Big thanks go to those dedicated ETU members who participated, particularly Peter Brewer, thanks Pete.

Negotiations commenced in January 2017 and an in-principal agreement was made in early April. The ETU went to ActewAGL with a strongly supported “minimal change” position but with a fair pay outcome, which was ultimately agreed by the Employer.

ETU Delegates provided valuable feedback to members and brought comments and input back to the negotiating team. The quick turnaround our members provided meant the union was able to progress negotiations quickly, we also kept members updated meaning they were on board through the entire process.

There was one hiccup, unintendedly created by management, with a previously rejected career progression scheme being revived during the bargaining process. The scheme had been modified and was a case of good intentions, bad timing.

The changes to the previous agreement agreed to by the ETU and the company updated and corrected the agreement including the model consultation clause that had been added by the Fair Work Commission in 2014.

The agreement is a three year agreement that delivers inflation busting 3% pay increases each year meaning ETU members will be almost 10% better off over the life of the agreement.

The 2014 agreement (won by ETU members and supported by Neville Betts) was already a cracker with 15% Super, redundancy up to potential 96 weeks’ pay and a number of other worker friendly provisions.

Given the unfriendly nature of the distribution industry in recent years we always need to make sure that the “exit” (redundancy) provisions are as good as we can get. The AER has seen distributors mercilessly cut numbers and find new and inventive ways of getting rid of Staff. These provisions need to be strong in any EBA and this agreement delivers a strong outcome for ETU members.

The agreement will now be lodged before the current agreement expires on 1 July 2017, and so will replace the existing EBA. It is listed for hearing on Friday 4 May and will no doubt sail through the process.

Overall, while there is more we would have liked, an overwhelming vote of more than 90% in favour shows how ETU members assessed the EBA.

The ETU offer six general scholarships every single year with each scholarship valued at $2,000. These scholarships are available to ETU members, their children and their grandchildren. To qualify, you must be enrolled in studies in an approved course at a registered training organisation at diploma level or higher.

To apply for one of six annual general scholarships download the application form. Conditions apply (see application form). Applications are being accepted for 2017 and close at 4.30pm Friday 30 June, 2017. Successful applicants to be notified by 31 July, 2017.

With the footy season gearing up the ETU Footy Tipping Comp is now open for people to join. Try your hand a tipping your weekly favourites and get you workmates to join in the fun.

We will again be giving away periodical prizes through the season based on weekly results while the overall competition winner will receive one free week accommodation at the ETU Holiday Cabins at Nambucca Heads on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

ETU members should take appropriate action depending on your individual health and work situation, including but not limited to taking regular breaks, conducting individual (personal) risk assessment and/or ceasing work completely.

Members should exercise extreme care as temperatures rise. If you have any questions about working in heat please contact your workplace delegate or ETU organiser.

There has been an incident in South Australia involving injuries to an employee that occurred as a result of a failure of an EWP.

A knuckle on an 18M GMJ EWP failed while the employee was aloft. The employee suffered a broken leg and other injuries.

The EWP was at working height (9m) when the top knuckle pin dislodged, the bucket fell back to its rest position (about 2.5m) with the worker and tools in the bucket. This bucket is 8 years old and had not undergone major rebuilds.

The pin retaining device appears to have failed. The fulcrum on GMJ EWPS are covered by a shroud and cannot be seen during start up inspections.

SA Safe Work is investigating and all similar EWPs have been removed from service.

All similar EWPs should be removed from service until such times as members can be assured of their safe operation.

Specifically, and in addition to all other prestart checks, members are to physically check fulcrum pins and pin retaining devices on all similar EWPs prior to any use.

Yesterday two of our colleagues from Endeavour Energy were injured, one of them very seriously in an electrical accident at Aird. The accident occurred during an attempted disconnection of a mobile generator at a kiosk type substation. Initial enquiries indicate that the accident relates to the process involved in connecting and disconnecting generators on to LIVE Low Voltage Boards at substations.

This is an extremely serious safety matter and as a result of the accident the ETU is placing a blanket ban on all connection and disconnection of mobile generators to LIVE Low Voltage boards. Until further notice, any such procedures must only be carried out with the Low Voltage Board de-energised – no exceptions. All members are expected to observe this important safety precaution.

The ETU has been in discussions with Endeavour Energy management who have advised that the company will be putting out a safety alert to similar effect.

In the meantime I speak for all members and say that our thoughts and well wishes go out to our injured colleagues and we hope they make a full and speedy recovery. At this time all members are reminded to always take the most conservative approach when it comes to safety – if in doubt, don’t do it until there is no doubt.

We will keep you informed of developments as they occur. In the meantime if you have any questions please call either myself of Anthony O’Sullivan (acting for Brad Currey) on the contact details below.

The NSW Branch of the ETU/CEP has donated $10,000 towards the fighting fund to support the 55 sacked CUB workers in Melbourne who are members of the ETU and the AMWU.

On top of this NSW construction industry members chipped in a further $2,000 out of their own pocket while an AMWU/ETU fundraiser last Wednesday night saw another $5,000 raised bringing the total to almost $20,000.

ETU Secretary Steve Butler said that the actions of CUB were un-Australian which is a far reach from a company that trades so heavily on what it is to be an Australian.

“As an act of solidarity these funds will be provided to help support the effected workers and assist their campaign for full re-instatement” said NSW Secretary Steve Butler.

“This is what being union is all about, standing united and supporting each other in times of need.”

“I have personally visited the picket line in Melbourne and I have meet these workers and understand what they are going through as a result of this bastard act from their employer.”

“I am proud of our membership in NSW for stepping up to the plate to support our brothers and sisters in Victoria during this dispute.” said Steve.

“I encourage all members, their families and friends to consider supporting other brands when next visiting the local bottle shop.” Steve said

The ETU NSW Branch has swung their support behind our Victorian brothers in their fight against Carlton & United Breweries after CUB contracted out the jobs of 54 electricians and fitters and offered the workers to reapply for their old jobs on 65% less pay.

The ETU NSW, AMWU and Unions NSW are hitting the streets tomorrow to raise awareness of this bastard act with members of the public. WE ARE ASKING ALL ETU MEMBERS TO ATTEND ONE OF THE ACTIONS OCCURING TOMORROW IN SYDNEY CBD, PARRAMATTA AND PENRITH.

We will be handing out flyer asking members of the public to boycott CUB products including VB. Details for each event can be found below - please click on the link for each event for full details.